'Shoe Guy' on a mission to help homeless take steps forward
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SEATTLE -- They are the parts of us that touch the earth and ground us. The parts that get the coldest, that ache the most.
This man man knows about feet -- how they can hurt, and how they can heal.
"Just imagine being on your feet 12 hours a day, constantly moving, standing in line for food, standing in line for this," he said.
He is the Shoe Guy.
"They know me as just Shoe Guy. They don't have a clue that my real nickname is Scooter," he said.
From the deepest hole, we climb out, one step at a time. And the better the shoe, the easier the climb. Shoe Guy doesn't just know this; he's lived it.
Imagine him homeless and hopeless, a tired soul on a bridge, at the edge.
"I struggled so bad that I wanted to jump off the Magnolia bridge just a day before going into the Union Gospel Mission," he said.
Imagine him at the Mission, part of a desperate brotherhood.
"He was a broken man, spiritually, emotionally, physically," said a friend. "He was without hope."
For 13 years, he knew what all homeless people know: the agony of the feet, the constant pain and cold, the never-ending search for decent shoes.
Now imagine him on a street corner with a sign, a box and and an idea. He started handing out fliers, making calls.
"Let's help some people," he said. "Give me your used shoes."
And then it happen.
Generous souls donated dozens of pairs of shoes. Shoe Guy cleans them and disinfects them. Then he sorts, bags and takes them to the streets.
"And we rock 'n roll," he said.
He takes them to wherever they are needed: homeless shelters, food banks and the place where it all started -- the Mission. He is met with hugs, smiles and sometimes even surprise at his old home.
"Sometimes they're shocked. Most of them are really happy," he said.
They know who he is there. They know where he's been, what he stands for.
He's walked a mile in their shoes, hundreds of them.
"It's like a gift from God," said one man. "He'll come up to you and he'll bless you with a pair of shoes."
Those who know him are convinced he has helped thousands of people, bringing relief to the feet of men and women who've been walking in a place where we don't even like to let our minds wander.
The Shoe Guy's dream has been spreading, so much so that this man of the streets even found himself on a brilliant stage, wearing a jacket and speaking to CEOs and business leaders, asking them for more help, more shoes.
His passion for giving is infectious, and he doesn't plan to stop any time soon.
"I took for so many years when I was on the street. I just...always took. I was taking from services that were given to me, and I wasn't able to give back," he said. "Today, I can give back. And that's huge of me."
Maybe you wonder, "Who is this man?" Maybe you'd like to know his name.
There is a word for the bottom of the shoe. the toughest part. And it sounds a lot like the word for the essence of the human spirit: "soul," which also happens to be Shoe Guy's last name.
Scott Sowle.
You won't forget it. Because now you've walked a mile in his shoes.
---
Find out how to help: redeemingsoles.org/donate/
This man man knows about feet -- how they can hurt, and how they can heal.
"Just imagine being on your feet 12 hours a day, constantly moving, standing in line for food, standing in line for this," he said.
He is the Shoe Guy.
"They know me as just Shoe Guy. They don't have a clue that my real nickname is Scooter," he said.
From the deepest hole, we climb out, one step at a time. And the better the shoe, the easier the climb. Shoe Guy doesn't just know this; he's lived it.
Imagine him homeless and hopeless, a tired soul on a bridge, at the edge.
"I struggled so bad that I wanted to jump off the Magnolia bridge just a day before going into the Union Gospel Mission," he said.
Imagine him at the Mission, part of a desperate brotherhood.
"He was a broken man, spiritually, emotionally, physically," said a friend. "He was without hope."
For 13 years, he knew what all homeless people know: the agony of the feet, the constant pain and cold, the never-ending search for decent shoes.
Now imagine him on a street corner with a sign, a box and and an idea. He started handing out fliers, making calls.
"Let's help some people," he said. "Give me your used shoes."
And then it happen.
Generous souls donated dozens of pairs of shoes. Shoe Guy cleans them and disinfects them. Then he sorts, bags and takes them to the streets.
"And we rock 'n roll," he said.
He takes them to wherever they are needed: homeless shelters, food banks and the place where it all started -- the Mission. He is met with hugs, smiles and sometimes even surprise at his old home.
"Sometimes they're shocked. Most of them are really happy," he said.
They know who he is there. They know where he's been, what he stands for.
He's walked a mile in their shoes, hundreds of them.
"It's like a gift from God," said one man. "He'll come up to you and he'll bless you with a pair of shoes."
Those who know him are convinced he has helped thousands of people, bringing relief to the feet of men and women who've been walking in a place where we don't even like to let our minds wander.
The Shoe Guy's dream has been spreading, so much so that this man of the streets even found himself on a brilliant stage, wearing a jacket and speaking to CEOs and business leaders, asking them for more help, more shoes.
His passion for giving is infectious, and he doesn't plan to stop any time soon.
"I took for so many years when I was on the street. I just...always took. I was taking from services that were given to me, and I wasn't able to give back," he said. "Today, I can give back. And that's huge of me."
Maybe you wonder, "Who is this man?" Maybe you'd like to know his name.
There is a word for the bottom of the shoe. the toughest part. And it sounds a lot like the word for the essence of the human spirit: "soul," which also happens to be Shoe Guy's last name.
Scott Sowle.
You won't forget it. Because now you've walked a mile in his shoes.
---
Find out how to help: redeemingsoles.org/donate/
God ia an awesome God! When I see homeless men and women across the street from where I work; I would walk across the busy street and ask them if they need any help. My co-workers always ask me, "are you afraid". I always respond, "no", because this could me, my family members and friends. My family and I always give funds and clothing to the homeless men and women. I always ask them before I give. I love all of God's children and I will always provide a helping hand to the less fortuate. I always tell people DO NOT judge anyone, until you have walked a mile or two in their shoes. Thank you Mr. Shoe Man for giving back!
Maybe we could donate socks too?
We take for granted how we can make a difference - we're all in this together vs your on your own.
Scott is blessed a good soul. Thanks for sharing your story.
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Great story, you sure do not hear of many story's about people helping out people here in the Untied States but their is so many businesses, and people raising money for people out of the United States. You sure do have a big heart and I wish more people were like you.
KUDOS Sir, Kudos indeed!!
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When i was 15 I went on a trip to build little houses in Mexican Slums. We used cinder blocks and mixed cement and mortar by hand in the hot desert sun, no heavy duty elec. It changed my life and how I see things. It gave me a sense of compassion that I will never forget.
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There was a little boy, maybe 6-7...wearing a pair of black patten leather tap dance shoes with the metal still on them, his feet crammed into them. I asked why he kept the metal on, (You could hear it click) and he said they'd last longer that way. I immediately without even really thinking or realizing it, reached down and took off my brand news Sketchers my mom bought me for the trip and handed them to him.... I didn't NEED those Shoes - but he did.
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The rest of us kids pooled our money, got a ride across to El Paso and went to Wal-mart. We bought them toys, clothes, a small radio. socks.....when we brought it back I saw pure "Joy" for the first time. The Radio was the hit - they hadn't had music like that in the slums...they connected hundreds of feet of exten. cords and played it in the open area. Kids danced and laughed all night. I'll never forget it. Never.
 @_Monte_ Beautiful story, thanks for sharing.
You can donate at the link Komo provided (I just did!) Â redeemingsoles.org/donate/ Â What a wonderful organization! Â I would love for Komo or the organization to let us know how much money is raised by this story being featured. Â Komo, please air more stories such as this one to get the word out on how we in the community can help those in need :)
Nice, a positive story for once.
Whenever I have old clothes I dont need, i always stop by the mission or along 2nd ave and give the clothes to the guys out front.
Scooter, I think I love you! Â Off to go through our shoes right now.........
People, homeless really value socks too, so if you donate to Scooter and can spare a few bucks for a packet of new socks, or have some really good and gently used socks, put those in there too. Â Clean socks are priceless to a lot of these people.
Great read to start the morning. Thank you Scooter. You're a good man, and from the looks of the message board here, you're about to get a spike in donations. Keep up the awesome work.
Eric! Edit the story to let readers know where we can donate!
What a great true story! Now - where can we donate? We need to get this going bigger and bigger!
Thank you Scott (and Eric) for a good story. Especially as we get into open season for political opinions, it is great to read something like this.
... So do we contact the Union Gospel Mission to reach out to Mr. Soul?
I agree with the others....please tell us where we can donate.
He's got diamonds on the soles of his shoes! What an inspiration this man is. I'd love to get rid of some of my old shoes, some barely worn - heck my whole family and I could go through our shoes and donate.
I'd like to know where to send shoes or donations.
That's pretty neat, he does have soul.
Wonderful story! Thank you Scott Soul.
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Great story great cause!
Guess I have a better way of getting rid of an old pair I got laying around. :)
Definitely a worthy cause to donate old shoes and to purchase new ones for.
Truly inspiring story tonight. Is there a website for this program or contact information?
Hey Eric...have a way to contact Scott?Â
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Thanks!